A deadly air strike in southern Lebanon has claimed the life of reporter Amal Khalil, intensifying the global debate over journalist safety in the US-Israel conflict with Hezbollah. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has labeled the incident a "war crime," alleging that Israeli forces deliberately targeted the journalists and obstructed rescue teams. While the IDF maintains they were striking Hezbollah-linked threats, press freedom groups are calling for an immediate international inquiry.

In a sudden move that has rattled the Pentagon, Navy Secretary John Phelan has stepped down effective immediately. Phelan, a key Trump appointee from the private sector, exits just as the US Navy maintains a high-stakes blockade in the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's seizure of two vessels. Navy veteran Hung Cao steps in as acting lead, signaling a potential shift toward more aggressive military cultural reforms.

A Board of Audit and Inspection report released Wednesday has identified an "unusual desire for keepsakes" as the root cause of a 2021 collision between two South Korean F-15K fighter jets. The investigation found that a wingman pilot abruptly climbed and inverted his jet to get a better photo of his colleague, leading to a crash that cost 880 million won in repairs. The pilot, now a commercial aviator, has been ordered to pay a portion of the damages.